Have any tips/advice/excercises for a new horse owner?

So my grandpa took in two horses because they needed a home and were having trouble finding someone to take in both of them. Problem is i have no idea how to care for them. I understand the basic of basics, like brushing (which i've been doing), and some body language like they're irritated when they're ears go back, but i hate to say it but i am a little afraid of them (esp the bigger one) and I'm wanting to start walking them. What i mean is walking them while i walk beside them. I tried a few times but Roudy and Sassy just knock their head up and down and pin they're ears back. It got to the point where my sister would get in front of them and offer them a carrot while keep stepping back. Eventually i'd like to ride them but i'd like to bond and get over my fear first...... So long story short.... any tips? Thanks!Have any tips/advice/excercises for a new horse owner?
It's better for a new owner to be scared of horses than to be over confident. The problem is, the horses might be feeling your nervousness and feeding off of it.





One good way to bond with a horse is to just spend time with it petting and praising it. We clicker train our horses as it's a fun way to teach them tricks and really helps you bond with them. It's very easy and something that even the most inexperienced beginners can do. All you need is a 3-4 foot long wooden stick and a plastic pool float (ours is red) to put on the end of it. Also, you will need a clicker, you can buy those at a petstore, they are used a lot with dogs. Next you get the horse used to the clicker by clicking, then immediatly giving him a handfull of food or a treat. I take my horse's feed for the evening and put it in a fanny pack so it's right beside me and I'm not giving her a lot of extra treats, just her regular feed. After a couple of days of this, (working for about 15 minutes a day, or until the feed runs out) you can move on to introducing the target. Show the horse your target and when they sniff it, say ';target'; and then click and feed. Soon your horse will realize that when you say ';target'; the horse will touch the target. You can move it up, down left and right and watch the horse do it as well. Once you have done that you can teach them tricks, like the command ';up'; to lift up their hooves for you to hold, ';bow'; for them to bow down, and other ground movements. By that time you should be well aquainted with your horses and they should know you so you can start working with them.





For the target training, you can work in a stall or pasture without a halter on. This is great because it will show the horses that you just want to have some fun with them, no work and no halters. They will bond closer with you and it is their choice to come work with you, you aren't making them do it. After you have earned their trust, you should be able to lead them. If you need help, you can tease them with the target, holding it in front of them for them to walk on and try to get it. If you move like you want to go somewhere, your horse will follow.





Also, if you are newer, I would start taking lessons with a local trainer. I worked for a trainer over the summer one year, and in return I got lessons. In reality, every day was a learning experience, and by the end of the summer I had worked with foals, taught a filly how to lunge, helped diagnose diseases, and worked with all sorts of tack and riding levels. I also worked with and rode several different types of horses so I got over any fears I had (I was very pampered to a horse that required no maintenence and practically knew what you wanted him to do). This helped me a lot, and over that summer I probably doubled my knowledge about horses.





Hope the horses work out great!Have any tips/advice/excercises for a new horse owner?
First, don't let the horses scare you too much. They sense your fear and will react accordingly. It's great that you're brushing them and spending time with them though; it's great for bonding. Continue doing that and give them treats sporadically when you're spending time with them. (Don't give treats on a consistent basis...they will come to expect treats every time they see you.) Use lots of soft touches and soothing voices. Start out with walking them with their halters and lead lines. If and when you want to start riding, I would get a professional to help you start out and to give you riding lessons. In the mean time, keep spending quality time with the horses!





Also, were they ever abused? If so, that would change things.





Good luck! :)
Bond? Look, these are large animals they are not your friends. They are herd creatures, which will dominate you, step on you, bite you, in other words being a novice with the wrong attitude will get you hurt.





Safety first. Do not hand feed. Put food in a feed pan. Hand feeding can lead to biting. Sounds like your sister is already setting the both of you up to be bitten.





You must become the leader of the herd. These horses can sense your fear and will use it to buffalo you, taking advantage and dominate you.





Project confidence, even if you don't feel it.





The safe way to lead is to hold one hand close to the halter and walk to the side and slightly in front in a leadership position. Carry the excess lead rope in your other hand, that way if the horse spooks or pulls away you can let go of the hand closest to the halter and still have control of the lead rope. Have the expectation that the horse will follow your lead, and it will.





Click your tongue making a noise that says move. And they will move. Once movement begins then lead.





Do not get in any kind of a physical pulling contest with a horse, you will lose. If you pull on them, they will pull on you, and you will lose.





If you tie them up to anything make sure it is meant to have a horse tied to it. You do not know the history on these animals and pulling while tied is the number one bad behavior of horses.





If you tie them to something that was not meant as a tie post and they pull back they are strong enough to pull anything down, creating havoc and possible injury.





Seek professional help as soon as possible, or at least go to the library and get a book on basic horsemanship and further your knowledge. The more you know the less your fear will be.





Do not attempt to ride until you have mastered your fear on the ground. You will be setting yourself up for failure if you do.





I really hate it when people have preconcieved ideas that are not realistic. Horses are the most romanticised animal on our planet. They will hurt you. Knowledge is power. Begin immediately to educate yourself, or face some potential serious consequences, like broken bones.





Have I scared you? Good, a little fear is a healthy thing. It will keep you respectful of the power of the animals you now want to bond with.
First of all you need someone who can give you professional or knowledge hands on help. You can learn alot from written advice but the best way to learn is to have someone show you.





Cookies and carrots are good bribes. Soothing voice works really well also. Make them comfortable to be around you and it will help you overcome your fear. Two tips to always remember: never approach a horse head on or from the back, always approach a horse at the shoulder - this way they will be able to see you.





Good luck and have fun!
Keep brushing them picking up there feet picking them.Try also lunging them,then walk them.If you have fear they do no.So stand on your own teo ft %26amp; show them your in control.Every day it will get easer.